Sling seats utilizing elastomeric fabrics

ABSTRACT

A sling seat with a frame and supports. The frame is a tubular arcuate structure with a seat section connected to a back section. The supports include an open elastomeric face that is disposed over the associated seat section or back section.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention generally relates to seating and seating materials, and in particular, to seats and seating materials using elastomeric fabrics in a sling type support.

[0002] Traditional seating in applications such as vehicle utilizes a steel support system, a cushioning foam, and a covering material. However, this type of arrangement is prone to body heat retention and stress concentrations on the occupant due to non-uniform support. Additionally, the traditional seating arrangement is prone to moisture retention and are not readily cleanable by spraying or disposing water across the seat. In an arrangement were a water repellent fabric is used as the covering material for traditional seat, the foam design of the seat will naturally form reservoirs in the contours of the seat extending drying time. Furthermore, the traditional arrangement of a steel support, foam cushion, and covering material takes up significant space of vehicle and contributes a significant amount of weight to the total seat.

[0003] Sling seats with traditional fabrics have been attached loosely to the frame in order to overcome these difficulties. However, this type of sling seat does not provide the comfort needed by an occupant. Therefore, there is a need for sling seats that reduce heat retention and uncomfortable stress on the occupant, does not retain moisture, can be cleansed with disposing water across the surface without forming reservoirs, and contributes less weight and space occupancy than the traditional seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] A further understanding of the invention can be obtained by referring to the following drawings in conjunction with the detailed description below:

[0005]FIG. 1 is a prospective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrated as the sling seat;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a prospective view of the frame of the sling seat in FIG. 1;

[0007]FIG. 3 is a prospective view of a support of the sling seat in FIG. 1;

[0008]FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the support in FIG. 3 along the section line 4-4;

[0009]FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the support and the frame along the section line 5-5 in FIG. 1, illustrating the orientation of the support on the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment to the present invention illustrated as the sling seat 10. The sling seat 10 generally includes a frame 100, and supports 200 disposed on the frame 100.

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the frame 100 of the sling seat 10 in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the frame 100 is an arcuate tubular frame having a seat section 110 and a back section 120. As illustrated, the seat section 110 is connected to the back section 120 by connecting section 130, and the two sides of the frame 100 are connected by a back bar 150 and a seat bar 140.

[0012] The seat section 110 of the frame 100 includes a first seat frame side, a second seat frame side, a first seat frame end and a second seat frame end. As illustrated, the seat section 100 includes seat support sections 111 and 112, lower seat transitions 113 and 114 connected to the respective seats support sections 111 and 112, and a lower seat cross bar 115 disposed at the first seat frame end between the lower seat transitions 113 and 114.

[0013] In one embodiment, the lower seat section 111 and the lower seat transition 113 are parallel to the lower seat section 112 and the lower seat transition section 114. In another embodiment, the lower seat section 111 and the lower seat transition 113 are not parallel to the lower seat section 112 and the lower seat transition 114, but are closer together at the lower seat cross bar 115. For example, the lower seat section 111 and the lower seat transition 113 can be ½ inch closer to the lower seat section 112 and the lower seat transition 114 at the lower seat cross bar 115 than at the ends adjacent to the connector section 130.

[0014] The back section 120 includes a first back frame side, a second back frame side, a first back frame end, and a second back frame end. As illustrated, the back section includes lumbar sections 121 and 122, back support sections 123 and 124 extending from the respective parallel lumbar sections 121 and 122, upper back transitions 125 and 126 extending from the respective back support sections 123 and 124, and an upper cross bar 127 disposed at the first back frame end between the upper transitions 125 and 126. The lumbar sections 121 and 122 extend outwardly from the plane of the back support sections 123 and 124 in the direction of an occupant.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lumbar section 121, the back support section 123 and the upper back transition 125 are parallel to the lumbar section 122, the back support section 124 and the upper back transition 126. In another embodiment, the lumbar section 121, the back support section 123 and the upper back transition 125 are not parallel to the lumbar section 122, the back support section 124 and the upper back transition section 126, but are closer together at the upper cross bar 127. For example, the lumbar section 121, the back support section 123 and the upper back transition 125 can be ½ inch closer to the lumbar section 122, the back support section 124 and the upper back transition section 126 at the upper cross bar 127 than at the ends adjacent to the connector section 130.

[0016] The connector section 130 includes transition sections 131 and 132 extending from the seat support sections 111 and 112 of the seat 110, and parallel connector extensions 133 and 134 extending from the transitions 131 and 132 to the lumbar sections 121 and 122 of the back 120. As illustrated, the transitions 131 and 132 are a semi-circular portion of the connector 130. However, it is anticipated by the invention that any transition can provide a resiliency to the connection of the back 120 to the seat 110 can be used in the transition 131 and 132. In one embodiment, the connector 130 joins the back 120 to the seat 110 at an obtuse angle between the seat 110 and the back 120 in the location where the seat would be occupied.

[0017] As illustrated, a seat frame cross bar or seat bar 140 is disposed across the second seat frame end at the joining of the seat supports 111, 112, with the transitions 131, 132, and a back frame end crossbar or back bar 150 is disposed across the second back frame end at the joining of the transitions 131, 132, with the connector extensions 133, 134. However, the seat bar 140 and the back bar 150 can be disposed in other locations that would not disturb an occupant of the sling seat 10. For example, the back bar 150 could also be located across the joining of the connector extensions 133,134, with the lumbar sections 121,122.

[0018] Although the frame 100 is illustrated as a tubular steel frame, it is anticipated that the frame could be made of any other material which provides the structural form necessary to hold the supports in position. Additionally, the seat support 110 and the back support 120 could be formed as separate units which are connected by a hinge-type structure to allow either the seat support 110 or the back support 120 to fold up, or down, out of the way for access behind those positions.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown one embodiment of the support 200 for the sling seat 10 in FIG. 1, illustrated as a prospective view in FIG. 3 and cross sectional view in FIG. 4. The support 200 generally includes a support enclosure 201 and a frame cushion 270. As illustrated, the support enclosure 201 includes a support surface face 210, a back surface 220, sides 230 and 240, a retaining end 250, a reception end 260. The face 210 is connected to the back 220 by sides 230 and 240, and the retaining end 250, thereby creating an envelope. The reception end 260 is an open end that includes fastening mechanism 261. The fastening mechanism 261 can be a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, or the like.

[0020] The support 200 for the seat section 110 of the frame 100 is positioned over the frame 100 by inserting the seat section 110 of the frame 100 into the reception end 260 of the support enclosure 201 until the lower cross bar 115 of the seat section 110 is adjacent to the retaining end 250 of the seat support 200, and the reception end 260 of the support enclosure 201 is adjacent to the seat bar 140. When inserted, the face 210 of the support enclosure 201 is disposed above (or on the occupant side) the seat section 110 and the back 220 is disposed below the seat section 110. The fastener 261 of the reception end 260 is secured with the seat bar 140 within the support enclosure 201.

[0021] Similarly, the support 200 for the back section 120 of the frame 100 is positioned over the frame 100 by inserting the back section 120 of the frame 100 into the reception end 260 of the support enclosure 201 until the upper cross bar 127 of the back section 120 is adjacent to the retaining end 250 of the support 200, and the reception end 260 of the support enclosure 201 is adjacent to the back bar 150. When inserted, the face 210 of the support 200 is disposed above (or on the occupant side) the back section 120 and the back 220 is disposed below the back section 120. The fastener 261 of the reception end 260 is secured with the back bar 150 within the support enclosure 201.

[0022] In one embodiment, the face 210, back 220, sides 230 and 240, and retaining end 250 of the support enclosure 201 are an elastomeric mesh construction that minimizes water absorbency, increases breathability, and facilitates quick drying. However, various portions, such as the back 220, the sides 230,240, and/or the retaining end 250 could be a non-elastomeric fabric. In one embodiment the elastomeric fabric of the support enclosure 201 is such that the support envelope 201 is mounted on the frame 100 in a manner that the support surface 210 is pre-tensioned. The elastomeric mesh fabric also enhances occupant comfort by eliminating heat retention between the occupant's body and the seat. Additionally, the elastomeric mesh construction provides a uniform support to an occupant, thus enhancing occupant comfort and vibration and shock attenuation.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, there is shown the frame cushion 270 of the seat support 200. As illustrated, the frame cushion 270, includes cushion sides 271, 272 which are associated with the sides 230, 240, of support enclosure 201 and an end 273 which is associated with the retaining end 250. The frame cushions 270 are disposed around the face 210, back 220, sides 230, 240, and retaining end 250 of the frame cushion 270 in a manner to protect and cushion the occupant from impacting the frame 100 disposed within the support 200. Each of the cushion sides 271, 272, and the cushion end 273, can be mounted to the support envelop 201 by bonding sewing, encasing within an enclosure formed by the fabric of the support envelope 201, or the like. As illustrated in the cross section of FIG. 5, the frame cushion 270 extends beyond the frame 100 on the surface of the face 210 to provide extra protection to an occupant of the seat 10. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An occupant support system comprising: a frame having a first frame side and a second frame side with an open area therebetween, wherein the first frame side is closer to second frame side at a first frame end than at a second frame end; a support including: a textile support having a support surface connected to a back surface by a first support side and a second support side, wherein the support surface comprises an elastomeric textile, and wherein the textile support is positioned with the first support side engaging the first frame side, the second support side engaging the second frame side, and the support surface being adjacent to the open area between the first frame side and the second frame side.
 2. An occupant support system according to claim 1, wherein said support further includes a support surface first side cushion disposed on the support surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the first support side, and a support surface second side cushion disposed on the support surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the second support side.
 3. An occupant support system according to claim 2, wherein said support further comprises a first side cushion disposed on the first support side of the textile support, and a support side second cushion disposed on the second support side of the textile support.
 4. An occupant support system according to claim 3, wherein said support further comprises a back surface first side cushion disposed on the back surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the first support side, and a back surface second side cushion disposed on the back surface of the textile support adjacent to the second support side.
 5. An occupant support structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame further comprises a first end cross bar disposed between the frame first side and the frame second side at the first end frame, and wherein the textile support further comprises a support first end closure which is positioned adjacent to the first end cross bar of the frame.
 6. An occupant support system according to claim 5, wherein said support further includes a support surface first end cushion disposed on the support surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the support first end closure.
 7. An occupant support system according to claim 6, wherein said support further includes a support first end cushion disposed on the support first end closure.
 8. An occupant support system according to claim 7, wherein said support further includes a back surface first end cushion disposed on the back surface of the textile support adjacent to the support first end closure.
 9. An occupant support system according to claim 5, wherein said frame includes a frame second end disposed across the frame first side and the frame second side at the second frame end, and wherein the textile support includes a closure system at a second end of the textile support.
 10. An occupant support system according to claim 9, wherein the closure system is selected from the group consisting of a hook and loop closure, a zipper, button, and snap.
 11. A seat comprising: a frame having a first frame side and a second frame side with an open area there between; a support including: a textile support having surface and a back surface connected by a first side and a second side, wherein the support surface comprises an elastomeric textile, and wherein the textile supporting is positioned with the first support side engages the first frame side, the second support side engages the second frame side, and the support surface is adjacent to the open area between the first frame side and the second frame side; a first side cushion disposed on the support surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the first support side; and, a second side cushion disposed on the support surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the second support side.
 12. An occupant support system according to claim 11, wherein said support further comprises a first side cushion disposed on the first support side of the textile support, and a support side second cushion disposed on the second support side of the textile support.
 13. An occupant support system according to claim 12, wherein said support further comprises a back surface first side cushion disposed on the back surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the first support side, and a back surface second side cushion disposed on the back surface of the textile support adjacent to the second support side.
 14. An occupant support structure according to claim 11, wherein said frame further comprises a first end cross bar disposed between the frame first side and the frame second side at the first end frame, and wherein the textile support further comprises a support first end closure which is positioned adjacent to the first end cross bar of the frame.
 15. An occupant support system according to claim 14, wherein said support further includes a support surface first end cushion disposed on the support surface of the textile support and positioned adjacent to the support first end closure.
 16. An occupant support system according to claim 15, wherein said support further includes a support first end cushion disposed on the support first end closure.
 17. An occupant support system according to claim 16, wherein said support further includes a back surface first end cushion disposed on the back surface of the textile support adjacent to the support first end closure.
 18. An occupant support system according to claim 14, wherein said frame includes a frame second end disposed across the frame first side and the frame second side at the second frame end, and wherein the textile support includes a closure system at a second end of the textile support.
 19. An occupant support system according to claim 18, wherein the closure system is selected from the group consisting of a hook and loop closure, a zipper, button, and snap. 